Tips: Being a Good Reading Volunteer

The following guidelines will help maximize the time you spend with the children. As a volunteer you want to make sure the children remain engaged in the session and in the materials. The following tips will help you do so.

Begin the session with limited and age-appropriate choices - children will benefit most from materials they do not consider too easy or too difficult.

The additional resources (below) include information on selecting age-appropriate materials.

Have a plan and communicate it. Give the child the opportunity to add to the plan.

"We have three books to read today. Which one do you want to start with?"

Write down a list and let the child check things off as they get done - this will give them a sense of accomplishment and serve as a visual representation of their progress.

Vary the sessions.

Don't hesitate to bring in outside materials or engage in literacy-enhancing projects.

Communicate with the children you work with about their interests and hobbies and respond to them.

You may bring in books about football or animals, depending on their responses.

Acknowledge when things aren't going well. Assume that when the child doesn't understand something, you have to find a better way to explain it.

"This is a hard book. It's ok. We'll work through it together."

If a child is having continued difficulty understanding, move on.

Focusing on one point makes the child anxious, and children learn best in an environment they perceive to be safe.

Acknowledge the child's feelings.

If a child comes to reading obviously upset or angry, ask him/her if he/she wants to talk.

Be mindful of and react to specific issues for the child. Be sure to articulate these issues and explain your responses. Remember that reading is a language-based skill. Any time spent talking with a child is helpful.

"I have noticed it takes you a while to settle down. Let's spend the first few minutes talking about your favorite TV show or sport."

When a child is pressing your buttons, be an actor and don't let on.

Once you are in a power struggle, you have lost - even if you might win.